218 POULTRI-CRAFT. 
good in form and color. A breeder will rarely find that he has many such 
birds under Standard weights; the light weight birds nearly always failing in 
shape. Late hatching is not desirable. Early hatched chicks are likely to be 
better than those hatched late; but chicks hatched in late May or early June 
generally turn out best. Hens of the large breeds are not suitable for 
hatching and rearing bantam chicks. The best results are obtained when 
bantam hens are used. If it is not practicable to use bantam hens, ‘‘ scrub” 
hens of three and four pounds weight should be used. The bantam chicks 
being so small, there is special need of guarding them from accidents, and 
the chicks of the less hardy varieties need to be carefully kept from cold and 
damp. They can be fed much as other chicks are, though they cannot eat 
Fig. 85. Bantams. 
Rose Combed Black. Exhibition Game. 
Rose Combed White. Sebright. Cuckoo, 
Cochin. Rumpless. Japanese. 
. (By courtesy of W. W. Clough). 
large grains at an early age. The best developed bantam chicks are obtained 
by giving as much liberty as possible, and feeding no more than is necessary 
to keep them growing, avoiding forcing on the one hand, and stunting on the 
other. Forcing makes coarse specimens; stunting makes peaked, scrawny 
ones. 
VARIETIES OF BANTAMS DESCRIBED. 
319. Game Bantams.—Of these there are eight Standard varieties: 
Black Breasted Red, Brown Red, Golden Duckwing, Silver Duckwing, 
Red Pyle, White, Black, and Birchen, corresponding respectively in form 
